Apparatus for displacing air from filled container head spaces



Sept. 4, 1945. A. L. KRONQUEST 2,333,975

APPARATUS FOR DISPLACING AIR FROM FILLED CONTAINER HEAD SPACES Filed April 1, 1943 15 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept 4, 1945. A. KRONQUEST APPARATUS FOR DISPLACING AIR FROM FILLED CONTAINER HEAD SPACES Filed April 1, 1943 15 Sheets-Sheet 2 lv N N we F JIJNP Lidl um 1 Is n hrdhvLu lhdh buil $5 I mw Sept. 4, 1945. A. 1.. KRONQUEST 2,383,975

APPARATUS FOR DISPLACING AIR FROM FILLED CONTAINER HEAD SPACES Filed April 1, 1943 15 Sheets-Sheet 3 Sept. 4, 1945. AL. KRONQUEST APPARATUS FOR DISPLACING AIR FROM FILLED CONTAINER HEAD SPACES Filed April 1, 1943 15 Sheets-Sheet 4 A. L. KRONQUEST Sept. 4, 1945.

APPARATUS FOR DISPLACING AIR FROM FILLED CONTAINER HEAD SPACES Filed April 1, 1943 15 Sheets-Sheet 5 .MODMWM Sept. 4, 1945- A. L. KRONQUEST APPARATUS FOR DISPLACING AIR FROM FILLED CONTAINER HED SPACES Filed April 1, 1945 15 Sheets-Sheet 6 Se t. 4, 1945. A. L. KRONQUEST 2,383,975

APPARATUS FOR DISPLACING AIR FROM FILLED CONTAINER HEAD SPACES Filed April 1, 1943 R z W klv a M R R. i w x w A fin 3 ms u... m r m u w w 5 Wm saw n m F, m. AW a J .i. ww v. I k-1 ..\1 .19.? vi W IP I fiw/Nm. 4\ N x Q NR 1|! $1 I; mm :Q Q wh RM. m% 4 AW wk w 7 w N %.Q 5 \S A N. (k R k R w v QR m Sept. 4, 1945. A, KRONQUEST 2,383,975

APPARATUS FOR DISPLACING AIR FROM FILLED CONTAINER HEAD SPACES Filed April 1, 1943 15 Sheets-Sheet 8 P 1945- A. L. KRONQUEST 2,383,975

APPARATUS FOR DISPLACING AIR FROM FILLED CONTAINER HEAD-SPACES Filed April 1, 1943 15 Sheets-Sheet 9 Sept 1945- A. KRONQUEST 2,383,975

APPARATUS FOR DISPLACING AIR FROM FILLED CONTAINER HEAD SPACES Filed April 1, 1945 15 Sheets-Sheet ll Sept. 4, 1945. KRQNQUEST 2,383,975

APPARATUS FOR DISPLACING AIR FROM FILLED CONTAINER HEAD SPACES Filed April 1, 1 943 15 Sheets-Sheet l2 Sept. 4, 1945. A. KRONQUEST APPARATUS FOR DISPLACING AIR FROM FILLED CONTAINER HEAD SPACES Filed April 1, 1943 15 Sheets-Sheet 13 w. kwN

Sept. 1945. A. L. KRONQUEST 2,383,975

APPARATUS FOR DISPLACING AIR FROM FILLED CONTAINER HEAD SPACES Filed April 1, 1943 15 Sheets-Sheet 14 N. 1 Q N N Q) N S V 1 & R: 2 3 N w w I H N B Ii N um s I 4 WI $3} I N o Q; Q N v g N 1 1 N l H I n w Q A N N 1 A: w 53 Q3 W: R Q N N N N u N V fQ Q q 5 Q Q N N Q) 1 w E f N I E m i xx fi $2 a n A MW M st-E N N J W P 1945- 4 A. 1.. KRONQUEST 2,383,975

APPARATUS FOR DISPLACING AIR FROM FILLED CONTAINER HEAD SPACES Filed April 1, 1943 15 Sheets-Sheet 15 a q; a A

Patented Sept. 4, 1945 APPARATUS FOR DISPLACING AIR FROM FILLED CONTAINER HEAD SPACES Alfred L. Kronquest, Syracuse, N.

Y., asslgnor to Continental Can Company, Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application April 1, 1943, Serial No. 481,500 34 Claims. (01. 226q68) The invention relates generally to thepackaging of liquids and primarily seeks to provide novel means for displacing air from the head spaces above the liquid fill in containers in which liquids such as fruit and vegetable juices are being packaged, said displacement being accomplished by utilizing an inert gas in a manner for forming a small bubble foam in said head spaces effective to crowd out the air therefrom.

It has been found desirable in the packaging of fruit and vegetable juices to remove air from the head spaces in the containers and substitute therefor a gas that will not react with the juices or with coated or lined surfaces in the containers themselves. Nitrogen gas and carbon dioxide gas are examples of inert gases which are effective as air displacing media. The presence of the oxygen air in the container head spaces often deleteriously affects the flavor of the juices during sterilization or storage. It also oxidizes the vitamins in the juices, thus decreasing the vitamin content. Further, oxygen in the container head spaces has a deleterious effect on some enamels where the containers are lined with enamel to prevent the juices from directly contacting with the metal of the container. Also, when plain, non-coated containers are used, the oxygen in the head spaces often increases the solution of the metal from the containers, thus increasing corrosion, pinholing and resultant leaks. The desirability of providing apparatus which will operate efliciently to displace air from container head space should, therefore, be obvious.

Various attempts have been made to displace the air from container head spaces with only partial success. By one method a jet of inert gas was directed into the container head space, but this method not only resulted in unnecessary wastage of gas but also effected the desired air displacement only partially. It has been proposed to direct a jet into carbonated beverages such as beer, or to otherwise agitate such beverages, the agitation serving to produce large bubble foaming partially efiective to displace air from the headspaces, but obviously such methods cannot be applied to fruit and vegetable juices which are not carbonated.

Therefore, it is the purpose of the present invention to provide a novel apparatus for directing an inert gas in finely dispersed form into each container just below the surface of the liquid therein so as to cause small bubbles to form closely adjacent the top surface of the liquid and gradually fill the head space and just prior to the apparatus of the character stated which can be conveniently placed for delivering the treated containers directly to the closing machine and, if desired, also close to the filling machine so as to receive the filled containers directly therefrom, means being included for enabling adjustment of the apparatus to adapt the same for treating containers of different heights.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the character stated in which is included inert gas dispersing elements, means to cause the elements and the containers to move together with an element centered over each container, means for bringing about relative movement between the containers and the elements to cause said elements to be immersed a limited distance in the liquid in the containers, travel along a distance with the containers and immersed therein and then be withdrawn from said immersion, and means for directing the inner gas into said elements.

Another object of the invention is to provide in apparatus of the character stated endless conveyor means supporting the gas dispersing elements, and means for always holding the elements uprightly on said conveyor while they are moving into, along with and out of the traveling containers.

Another object of the invention is to provide 5 in apparatus of the character stated novel means forming a flexible conduit for feeding the inert gas to the gas dispersing elements as they are traveling with the endless conveyor.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the character stated wherein there is included in the means for holding the gas dispersing elements uprightly, novel valve means operable to direct gas to the elements traveling along the lower flight only of the endless conveyor means, or in other words for directing gas only to those elements which are moving into, along with and in the process of being withdrawn from the traveling containers, thereby to minimize gas wastage.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the character stated in which the means for moving and holding the gas dispersing elements uprightly includes two laterally spaced endless chains each traveling about two sprockets, the sprockets supporting one chain being rotatable about axes disposed in a horizontal plane below the plane in which the axes of the sprockets Supporting the other chain are located, said elements being elongated and each having two pivotal connections arranged in a common vertical plane and one connected with one chain and the other with the other chain, and the sprockets at each end of the cooperating chains having their axes disposed in a common vertical plane.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the character stated in which the inert gas dispersing elements constitute removably mounted, hollow, thimble-like devices having porous metal or ceramic walls through which the inert gas filters in a multitude of minute jets efiective to form small bubble foam in the liquid fill in which the elements are immersed.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the character stated including a container feed table for feeding the open containers in spaced relation, a gassing housing disposed'above the feed table and including therein gas dispersing elements and means for causing said elements to move into the traveling containers, then along with the containers, then out of said containers, a vertically slidable frame standard supporting the housing, and means for imparting movement of adjustment to the standard to vary the vertically spaced relation of the feed table and the housing to adapt the machine for operation on containers of different sizes.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the character stated in which the gas dispersing elements are supported on and moved by an endless chain and each said element includes a gas receiving nipple extension, and in which the means for supplying gas to the elements comprises a hollow rotor rotating in timed relation with the chain and having gas supplying nipple extensions equidistantly spaced thereon and equal in number to the chain borne nipple extensions,.means to supply gas to said rotor, and flexible ducts connecting each nipple on the rotor with one nipple on the chain.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the character stated in which the means for moving and holding the gas dispersing elements uprightly includes a single endless chain, spindles projecting horizontally from the chain, sleeves rotatably mounted on the spindles and from which said elements depend vertically, crank members projecting from the sleeves, and guide means for constantly holding the cranks in a definite relation to said elements thereby to constantly hold the elements uprightly.

With the above and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear, the nature of the invention will be more fully understood by following the detailed description, the appended claims and the several views illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a plan view of an apparatus embodying the invention, the association thereof with a closing machine of the continuously moving turret type also being shown, somewhat diagrammatically.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the apparatus shown in Figure '1.

the apparatus housing at the end thereof adjacent to the closing machine.

Figure 5 is an enlarged horizontal section of the apparatus housing at the end thereof adjacent to the filling machine.

Figure this an enlarged part side elevation and part vertical longitudinal sectional view of the apparatus housing at the end thereof remote from the closing machine.

Figure 7 is a vertical cross section taken on the line 'l-,'l on Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary horizontal section illustrating the sprocket valve hub, valve actuator ring and'clamp rotor assembly.

Figure 9 is a detail face view of the sprocket valve hub and valve actuator ring and clamp rotor assembly, the rotor and the supporting stud shaft being shown in section.

Figure 10 is a detail vertical cross section through one of the gas dispersing units.

Figure 11 is a plan view illustrating a modified form of the apparatus mounted directly on a closing machine of the single closing station typ Figure 12 is a face view of the gassing apparatus shown in Figure 11.

Figure 13 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in Figure 12.

Figure 14 is a fragmentary enlarged part plan view and part horizontal section of the gas dispersing element supporting and conveying devices.

Figure 15 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view illustrating the parts shown in Figure 14.

Figure 16 is a vertical cross section taken on the line iii-l6 on Figure 13.

Figure 17 is a vertical cross section taken on the line ll--ll on Figure 15.

Figur 18 is a detail plan View of one gas dispersing element supporting spindle and a section of the conveyor chain to which it is attached.

The invention may be incorporated in apparatus adapted for use with different forms of closing machines, those in which the containers are very rapidly closed while being carried on a continuously traveling turret, or those which operate less rapidly and include a. single stationary closing station. An example of the first mentioned type of machine is illustrated in U. S. Letters Patent 1,752,912, issued April 1, 1930, to A. L. Kronquest, and an apparatus adaptable for being used in combination with this type of machine will first be described.

In Figure 1 of the drawingsthe cooperative relation of the improved apparatus and a closing machine of the type first above mentioned is diagrammatically illustrated. In this somewhat diagrammatic illustration a feed timing means is provided and designated A, the apparatus for displacing the air from the traveling container head spaces and which constitutes the present invention is generally designated B, the filled and gassed container feeding turret of th closing machine is generally designated 0, and the closing machine turret is generally designated D.

The improved apparatus includes a floor stand 5 which supports an elongated feed table 6 including laterally spaced angle irons I and supporting slide rails 8 which are mounted on the elements I and which provide slide supports for the traveling containers 9.

The containers 9 are rapidly conveyed over the supporting rails 8 by suitably spaced feed lugs ID on the feed chain II, the effective or feeding flight of which travels over a supporting rail l2 disposed between the element 1 in the position best illustrated in Figure 3, suitable side guides |3 being provided for guiding the passage of the containers over the rails 8.

The chain passes over and is driven by a sprocket l4, passes over a second end sprocket idler sprockets I5, and tightener sprockets l6, and also over a sprocket I8 which forms a part of the drive for the moving parts of the gassing apparatus in a manner later to be described.

The gassing apparatus generally designated B is mounted on a supporting standard |9 which is slide guided as at 20 on the feed table frame 6 and has a rack 2| affixed thereto in a vertical position and which is engaged by an adjuster pinion 22 secured to one end of an adjuster shaft 23 rotatable in a fixed bearing provided therefor on the frame 6 and equipped with a hand wheel 24. It will be obvious by reference to Figures 1 and 2 of th drawings that by turning the hand wheel 24 in one direction or the other the skirt l9 and the apparatus supported thereon can be lifted or lowered so as to vary the spacing thereof abov the container feedways 8 and thus adapt the machine for operating on containers of different heights.

The apparatus includes an elongated housing 25 secured to the upper end of th standard l9 and overlying the elongated feed table 6 in the manner clearly illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings. The housing is provided with an elongated bottom opening defined by two latterally spaced, parallel rails 26 and 21. See Figures 3 and 7.

A cross shaft 28 is rotatably mounted in bearings 29 at the end of the housing 25 nearest the closing machine, and the shaft has two spur gears 36 adjustably secured thereon as at 3|, one at each side of and within the housing. See Fig ure 4. A driver sprocket 32 also is secured on the shaft 26 and is adapted to be driven by a chain 33 which is in turn driven by a driver sprocket 34 on a cross shaft 35 rotatably supported as at 36 at a central upper portion of the housing 25, a tightener sprocket also being mounted for adjustable engagement with the chain 33.

The cross shaft 35 has a bevel gear 38 affixed thereto to which rotation is imparted by a driver bevel gear 39 secured to the upper end of a vertical shaft 46 rotatably supported in bearings 4| in the standard l9 and frame 6 and having a spline connection as at 42 in a bevel gear 43 which is rotatably supported in the lower one of the two bearings 4|. See Figure 3. The bevel gear 43 and the shaft 42 splined therein are driven by a bevel gear 44 fixed on a cross shaft 45 which is rotatable in a frame bearing 46 and to which rotation is imparted by the previously described sprocket |8.

Each gear 36 within the housing 25 meshes with and drives a spur gear 41, and each gear 41 rotates idly about a stud shaft 48 secured to the respective adjacent housing wall. See Figure 4. Each idler gear 41 has a sprocket 49 fixed thereto, and it will be observed by reference to Figure 2 of the drawings that one of the stud shafts 46 is mounted at a higher level than the other of the shafts 48. An endless conveyor chain 56 passes over each sprocket 41 so as to provide lower and upp r conveyor flights extending along within the housing and toward the end thereof remote from the closing machine. The lower flight of each chain passes under an idler sprocket 5| mounted on a stud shaft 52 secured to the respective adjacent housing wall, and each idler sprocket is so placed with relation to the cooperating sprocket 49 as to dispose the lower flight portion extending between the respective sprocketsets 5|, 49 horizontally, or in vertically spaced parallel relation to the underlyin container supporting slide rails 6. It will be apparent by reference to Figures 2, 3 and 7 that the horizontal lower flights of the chains 56 travel in separate vertically spaced planes.

The highest placed of the two chains 56 passes over an ordinary idler sprocket 53 at the end of the housing remote from the closing machine, said sprocket being rotatable about a stud shaft '54 secured to the adjacent housing wall as illustrated in Figures 5 and '7. This sprocket 53 cooperates with the idler sprocket 5| engaged by the same chain in providing a downwardly inclined portion 55 in said chain. See Figures 2 and 6. The purpose in providing this downwardly inclined chain portion will be explained hereinafter. The downwardly inclined portion 55 merges into the previously mentioned horizontal lower flight portion of the chain and the latter is suitably guided and supported on a rail 56 mounted on the housing bottom opening defining rail 27.

The other or lower chain 56 passes over a sprocket 51 at the end of the housing remote from the closing machine, said sprocket being secured as at 58 to a specifically constructed valve hub 59 of which more will be said later. See Figures 6 and 7. The sprocket 51 also is disposed higher than the idler sprocket 5| engaged by the same chain so as to provide a downwardly inclined chain portion 66 merging into the horizontal lower flight portion of the lower of the two chains 56.

At spaced intervals corresponding to the spacing of the feed lugs |6 on the feeder chain H, the higher chain 56 has bracket elements 6| affixed thereto. See Figures 6 and '7. To each bracket element 6| an angled bracket member 62 is aifixed, and each bracket member carries a pivot pin 63 which projects therefrom toward the center of the housing in the manner clearly illustrated in Figure 7. Each pin 63 rotatably supports a collar or sleeve 64 having a slot across the top thereof in which is positioned a keeper pintle 66 straddling the arms of a fork 61 which extends upwardly from a main hub or sleeve body 68 forming a part of one of the gas dispersing elements.

Each element hub or sleeve 68 includes a depending leg 69 having a central gas port 16 and a threadably mounted gas dispersing stem H which depends from the leg 69 and is secured thereto by a lock or jam nut I2. A gasket plug 13 of rubber or other suitable yieldable material is mounted on the lower end portion of each stem II and serves as a removable friction mounting for a thimble 14 of porous metal or ceramic material which constitutes the gas dispersing element.-

.58 which secure the sprocket 51 thereto.

with the respective gas port 18 and gas dispersing stem ll only during the travel along the lower flights of the chains 58 by which the gas dispers- I in elements are supported and caused to travel. Each spindle also includes a radially disposed gas supply port 18, and the ports 18 in the spindles always are directed inwardly with respect to the orbital paths of chains for a purpose that will later become apparent.

Each spindle is equipped with a central flange 19 which is abuttcd at one side by the respective hub or sleeve 68 and at the other side by a generally rectangular valve block 88 which is secured on the spindle as at 8| in a manner for being compelled always to project in the direction of the gas supply port 18, that is, inwardly with respect to the orbital paths of chains 58. See Figures 6 and 7. Each block has a pair of sockets 82 for receiving mounting pins 83 which extend laterally from the lowermost of the chains 50, and an angle piece 84 is secured as at 85 to the outer face of each block and has its angled ear portion 86 apertured as at 81 for receiving the opposite end extensions of the pins 83. By reason of the connection of these blocks 88 with the mounting pins 83 on the lowermost of the chains 50 and the securing of the spindles 15 in said blocks said spindles are mounted on and caused to travel with said lowermost chain. It should also be apparent that because of the ofl'settlng of one of the chains 58 upwardly with respect to the other chain and the attachment of the collars 84 on the uppermost chain and the engagement of said collars inthe forks 81 extending upwardly from the sleeves 68, the gas dispersing elements are always held uprightly during the travel of the chains 50 so as to constantly dispose the gas dispersing thimbles 14 with their axes vertical. This holding of the gas dispersing elements always in the upright position also cooperates with the arrangement of the delivery ports 11 in providing for gas delivery into the thimbles I4 only during the lower flights of the chains.

Each block 88 is provided with a valve chamber 88 in communication through a port 88 with the supply port 18 of the respective spindle 15. In each chamber there is mounted a valve ball 80, and each ballis pressed by a spring against a circular seat 8| in a seat plate 82 which is screw secured as at 83 to One side face of the respective block. Each time a block 80 is caused to travel around the sprocket 51 and the attached specially constructed valve hub 58 itsball 80 is unseated by engagement with a valve atuator ring 84 secured to the hub 58 by the same screws See Figures 6, 7 and 8.

The ring 84 is provided with two diametrically oppositely disposed arcuate ports 85 so shaped as to communicate with the valve seat openings and provide a solid wall contact with the ball and yet avoid causing the ball to ride over the arcuate opening. In other words, each arcuate port 85 is disposed in an arc struck from a center approximating the point at which the valve balls 80 engage the ring and on a radius less than the ball diameter, as will be apparent by reference to Figures 6 and 7 of the drawings. Each arcuate port communicates with a hub duct 86 including a radial leg 81 disposed to communicate with an arcuate cutout 88 in the sprocket and hub supporting stud shaft 88 secured to the housing in the manner clearly illustrated in Figure '7. It will be observed that the stud shaft includes an axial duct I08 adapted to be connected with the gas supply ource (not shown) so asto supply gas through the porting 81, 88 and 88 into the valve chambers 88 whenever valve balls are unseated against the actuating ring 84 in the manner clearly illustrated in Figure '1.

On a reduced end portion l8! of the stud shaft 88 a clamp rotor I0 is mounted for sliding movement in the direction of the axis of said stud shaft. See Figures 8 and 9. The rotor is equipped with diametrically oppositely disposed clearances I03 providing lateral camming flanges IN. The rotor is loosely secured to the valve hub 58 by headed screws I85, and compression spring elements I06 constantly urge the rotor toward said hub.

It will be apparent by reference to Figures 6 and 9 of the drawings that each valve block 80 is equipped with two longitudinally directed duct extensions I01, adjacent duct extensions of the blocks being connected by flexible ducts I88 which are capable of flexing while the blocks are passing around the special sprocket 51 and hub 58 in the manner illustrated in Figure 6 and for the purpose of forming a continuous conduit in which all of the valve blocks are connected. Thus each time a valve ball 80 is unseated, a quantity of inert gas is delivered into the continuous conduit to be delivered therefrom into the gas dispersing thimbles 1'4 which are traveling along the lower flights of the endless conveyors 50.

In this form of the apparatus, as the open topped containers are rapidly fed along over the supporting rails 8, the gas dispersing thimbles I4 moving in timed relation with and centered over the containers will move downwardly into the containers while moving along the downwardly inclined portions of the chains at 55 and 60 so as to immerse the gas chamber portions in the lower extremities of the thimibles a distance beneath the upper surface of the liquid illl in the containers. The thimbles then move along with the containers in the immersed condition until the end of the apparatus adjacent the closing machine is reached, at which time the thimbles will be lifted out of the containers, the gas dispersion from each thimble being discontinued as it is lifted out of a container. During the immersion of a thimble in a traveling container, the inert gas being dispersed in the liquid flll in the containers lust beneath the surface thereof in the form of a, multitude of fine jets will cause a multitude of small bubbles to form at the surface of the liquid and rise into the head space in a manner for crowding out all air therefrom and replacing it with the inert gas. The containers with the air thus displaced from the head spaces are then fed to the closing machine wherein they are rapidly closed without air in the head spaces thereof.

Anexample of the second mentioned type of machine in which there is provided a single, stationary closing station is illustrated in U. S. Letters Patent 1,307,888, issued to Ivar F; Warme on June 24, 1919. A container head space treating apparatus adaptable for use in connection with this type of machine will now be discussed.

The machine and the apparatus embodying the invention and mounted thereon are somewhat diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 11 in which figure the said timing means for timing the feed of filled containers to the apparatus is generally designated E, in which the gassing apparatus embodying the invention is generally designated- F and the closing machine proper is designated G. In this form of the apparatus the housing includes a bracket extension I09 which is secured as at to the closing machine. The bracket is an integral part of the gear housing section III of the casing, and the gear housing section is secured to a gas dispersing element conveyor housing section II2 which is in turn secured to a flexible gas duct housing section H3 and the latter .being in turn secured to a gas supply valve housing section II4 which includes a removable cover portion 5. A shaft housing II6 also is secured between the sections H2 and H4 in the manner best illustrated in Figure 13.

A driver shaft H1 is rotatably mounted in a bearing II8 provided therefor in the housing section III and in a bearing II9 provided therefor in the housing section II2. See Figure 16. A driver sprocket I20 is loosely mounted on the shaft H1 and is secured to a driver hub I2I forming the releasable part of. an overload release and hand wheel equipment generally designated I22 and which is keyed to the shaft II1.

A small spur driver gear I23 is secured to the shaft H1 and meshes with a larger spur gear I24 secured on a shaft I25 which is rotatable in a bearing I26 provided therefor in the housing section I I2 and extends through the shaft housing H6 and has rotatable bearing as at I21 in the housing section II4. Within the housing section II 4 the shaft I25 carries a driver sprocket I28. See Figures 12 and 13.

A chain passing over the driver sprocket I28 imparts rotation to a sprocket I29 secured on a shaft I30 which is rotatable in a sleeve'I3I in a bearing hub I32 formed in the housing section 4. An'air or gas seal I33 also is provided for the shaft I30 in the hub I32. See Figures 12, 13 and 16.

A hollow gas manifold rotor I34 is secured to the shaft I30 and is rotatable about the hub I32 and provided with an air or gas seal I35. A gas chamber is formed in the hub I32 surrounding the sleeve I3I, and this chamber communicates with the interior of the rotor I34 through a radially disposed port I31 in the hub I32. An inert gas is fed through a duct I38 into the hub chamber I36 and from thence into the rotor I34, the gas being supplied to the duct I38 through a conduit I39 from a suitable supply source (not shown). The rotor I34 is provided with a plurality of supply nipples I40 extending therefrom into the housing section II3, the

nipples being equal in number to the number of gas dispersing elements employed in the apparatus and constructed and mounted in the manner soon to be described.

The small spur gear I23 meshes with two larger gears I4! and I42. The gear MI is secured to a stud shaft I43 which is rotatable in a bearing I44 in the housing section, and the shaft I43 has a sprocket I45 secured thereon within the housing section II2. A chain I46 is driven by the sprocket I45 and passes over idler sprock ets I41 and I54, said idler sprockets being rotatable about respective stud shafts I48 and I55 secured as at I49 and I56 respectively to a bearing plate I50 which is slidably mounted as at I5I on the adjacent wall of the housing section II2. See Figures 14 and 17 of the drawings. Screw means I52 are provided for moving the bearing plate I50 in a longitudinal direction, and screw means I53 are provided for securing the plate in adjusted positions.

As the studs I48 and I55 are mounted in fixed positions in the plate I50 their relative position will be maintained regardless of any adjustment of the plate I50. A rotor I51 is secured to rotate with the sprocket I41 and is equipped with two diametrically oppositely disposed roller receiving recesses I58. See Figures 14 and 15.

The stud shaft I48 has a reduced end portion I59 which serves as a support for a center roller track member I60 which is secured on said reduced end by a screw H. The track member includes straightaway guide edge portions I62 and terminates at one end in a half circular end guide edge portion I63 conforming in radius to the depth of the recesses I58 in the rotor I51. The track member I60 has extensive joint connection as at I64 with a main center roller track member I65 which has straightaway edge portions I66 merging with those of the member I60 and which terminates at its other end in a half circular edge portion conforming in radius to the depth of the two roller receiving recesses I68 placed diametrically oppositely in a rotor I69. The rotor I68 is secured to a stud shaft I10 which is rotatably mounted in a bearing "I in housing section H2 and which also has the driven spur gear I42 secured thereto. The roller track member I65 is screw secured as at I12 to the reduced end I13 of the stud shaft I10 and also as at I14 to spacers extending across the housing section H2. See Figure 15.

Upper and lower roller tracks I15 are secured to the housing section H2 and are spaced above and below the outer edges of the roller track member I65 in the manner clearly illustrated in Figure 15 of the drawings. These track elements have end portions I15 extending in partial concentric relation to the half circular edge portion I61 of the inner track member. The track members I15 have extensible joint connection as at I11 with continuation tracks I18 which also are provided with end portions extending in partial concentric relation to the half circular guide edge I63 of the inner track member I60 and which are secured to the adjustably mounted bearing plate I50 so that the track extension portions I18, the inner track member I60 and both sprockets I54 and I41 will move in unison with the plate as it is adjusted.

'At equidistantly spaced intervals the chain I46 is provided with sets of mounting pins I80, each set comprising two parallel pins as illustrated in Figure 18. Each set of pins is adapted to engage the receiving sockets IBI provided in an elongated head I82 in a spindle member I83, the pins being secured in the sockets by taper pins I84. By this means the spindles are caused to travel with thechain I46 extending horizontally laterally therefrom in the manner clearly illustrated in Figures 16 and 17 of the drawings.

Each spindle shank is offset or recessed as .at I85 to clear the inward extensions I19 of the guide track portions I18 and includes a hollow nipple extension I86. An axial bore or duct I81 is provided in each spindle and opens through a radial duct extension in the side Wall of the spindle. In this apparatus also the gas dispersing elements are constantly held in the upright position, and to provide for this mounting and con- 

